New Initiative to Conserve Southern Wetland Forests Launched on World Wetlands Day

New Initiative to Conserve Southern Wetland Forests Launched on World Wetlands Day

Powerful Collaboration Brings Together Conservation Organizations, Communities, Landowners and Government Agencies to Conserve One of the Region’s Most Precious Natural Resources

Asheville, NC – On World Wetlands Day, a diverse group of stakeholders have joined together to announce a major multi-state effort to conserve one of America’s most precious natural resources, wetland forests of the South. The Wetland Forest Initiative is a new, collaborative effort dedicated to conserving, restoring, and improving the condition of Southern wetland forests.

The initiative will work with landowners, communities, conservation organizations, and government agencies to create a future where there are abundant and healthy wetland forests for the benefit of local communities and native wildlife. A majority of wetland forests have been lost due to conversion to agriculture and real estate development in the last 300 years.

“Today we are excited to join with communities, landowners, government agencies, and conservation partners to shine a spotlight on the role that our forested wetlands play in protecting our coastal communities from the worst impacts of climate change and as a treasure to our region’s natural heritage,” said Danna Smith, Executive Director at Dogwood Alliance. “We all share the common belief that working together we can make these forests the next great conservation priority in the United States.”

Historically, wetland forests blanketed much of the Southern US. However, as the region continued to grow, wetlands and wetland forests were converted for other uses.As a result, a majority of the original wetland forests in the region have been lost. The wetland forests that remain are sometimes degraded so much that there is a great need for restoration in these areas.

Southern wetland forests are home to many threatened and endangered species which rely on these unique habitats to survive and reproduce. Many of the region’s intact wetland forests occur in the coastal plain. A world biodiversity hotspot, the Southeastern and Gulf Coastal Plains have nearly 600 animal and over 1800 plant species found nowhere else on earth.

“Wetland forest conservation and restoration is a no-regrets investment,” said Maria Whitehead, Senior Project Manager at the Open Space Institute. “In communities across the Southeast, the benefits derived in protecting these forests are significant in both impact and effectiveness—providing abundant and clean drinking water, serving as storm and flood barriers, and increasing natural areas for people and wildlife.”

The Wetland Forest Initiative will elevate wetland forests as a national conservation and restoration priority. Additionally, the collaboration plans to work with landowners, foresters, and others to help implement sound management practices on “working lands” — lands used for timber production, while also working with nearby communities to increase resilience, diversify economic opportunities and enhance quality of life.

The Wetland Forest Initiative is currently composed of a steering committee and several working groups, which include members from these organizations (alphabetical): American Forest Foundation, National Audubon Society, Black Family Land Trust, Carolina Wetlands Association, Clemson University, Defenders of Wildlife, Dogwood Alliance, Forest Stewards Guild, Gulf Restoration Network, Hip-Hop Caucus, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, National Wildlife Federation, National Woodland Owners’ Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, One Hundred Miles, Open Space Institute, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Public Lab, Southern Group of State Foresters, University of Georgia, Wildlands Network, Wild South, and Wild Virginia.

“The Southeastern US represents one of the most biodiverse regions in world. The wetland forest habitats in this region support a dizzying array of wildlife including birds, amphibians, fish and freshwater mussels. Many of these species are at-risk and protecting wetland forests is the best way to ensure these species thrive.” – Ben Prater, Defenders of Wildlife

“It is exciting to be a part of such a diverse group of interests, all working together to ensure our southern wetland forests, many of which are working forests owned by private citizens, can continue to be sustainably managed. Conversion to development is the biggest threat to our southern wetland forests today, so the work of the WFI is going to be critical in supporting forest landowners.” – Tim Foley, Southern Group of State Foresters

“Conserving, restoring, and improving wetland forests benefits us all. Future generations are relying on us to provide clean air, clean water, and the chance to grow up surrounded by healthy ecosystems.” – Sam Davis, Dogwood Alliance

“Many of our highest priority bird species depend on wetland forests for their survival. Because of that linkage, we are working with landowners to make sure that their goals and priorities can be met, and to provide technical support to make those decisions and actions as good for birds and system health as possible.” – Curtis Smalling, Audubon North Carolina

“Wetlands are a valuable treasure in the Southeastern US. They are critical to our water quality, protecting property against flooding, protecting our coastline and the banks of rivers and streams as well as providing habitat to many unique and endemic species. Our economic and social wellbeing are enhanced by Forested Wetlands.” Rick Savage, Carolina Wetlands Association

“In the Gulf of Mexico region, not only do we love our wetland forests for hunting, fishing and their natural beauty, wetland forests are a matter of life and death when it comes to protecting our communities from flooding and hurricanes,” said Raleigh Hoke, Campaign Director at Gulf Restoration Network.

“Wetland Forests are an integral part of the southeast regions’ cultural heritage, they deliver important ecosystem services to local communities, provide critical habitat to a host of rare and imperiled species and are our best defense against climate change. The fate of these unique forests lies in our hands and we must work together to protect them for future generations.” Debbie Hammel, Land Markets Initiative Director at NRDC.